Published: 07.11.2020.
Consular information

The government has decided to keep in place and consolidate various epidemiological safety measures.

→ Information for travellers to Latvia on the provisions for preventing the spread of COVID-19

→ Document confirming the fact that a person has carried out a full vaccination cycle

Face-to-face meetings

Beginning on 18 May, persons who are fully vaccinated are eligible for certain exemptions

  • Processions and rallies of up to 10 people may be organised outdoors so long as those participating also observe epidemiological safety requirements;
  • Up to ten people from two households may meet outdoors at private events they organise;
  • Up to ten people from two households may gather at funerals and urgent christenings while mutually observing distance and wearing a face covering over their mouth and nose;
  • The open-air areas of museums and nature trails will remain open for visitors, and they must observe the epidemiological safety requirements.
  • Libraries may lend out books as a ‘takeaway service’ only.
  • At places of religious worship, no more than 20 % of the maximum allowed number of people may gather at one time.
  • Beauty salons are open for business and people can get haircuts, manicures, and pedicures.
  • Shopping must be done individually, with the exception of children up to 12 years in age and individuals with special needs who require assistance. People violating epidemiological safety requirements shall be denied service. Information on the number of customers permitted at any one time shall be posted so that it is clearly visible at the entrance of the store.

Beginning on 18 May, persons who are fully vaccinated are eligible for certain exemptions

Up to 20 Individuals who have either received the full course of COVID-19 vaccine or who have fallen ill with the coronavirus and recovered, may now assemble indoors or outdoors without a face covering and without applying the two-metre social distancing rule – this rule pertains to members of the staff at places of work, to art students and amateur artists who have gathered for artistic purposes, and to athletes engaged in sports activities.

This exemption only applies to people who are members of one group or collective enterprise which has been established for an extended period of time and who are each able to provide documentation certifying that they are fully vaccinated or have fallen sick and recovered. As of 15 June, verification of vaccination will be available through the EU’s digital green certificate. The digital green certificate shall show that the individual in question has been vaccinated against COVID-19, that they have received a negative test result, or that they have recovered from COVID-19.

Requirements to ensure safety at stores and market places

As of 18 May, all shopping centres that have floor space over 7,000 square metres will be open and such centres are allowed to organise the flow of customers, ensuring that they have separate entrances and exits.

At the same time, service providers (for example, dry cleaners, financial institutions, repair services) are allowed to operate in shopping centres. At stores, the distribution of goods purchased online is no longer permitted.

Organizing street stands and fairs outdoors is permitted so long as these do not have accompanying entertainment events, including festivals with particular themes and amusement park rides. No more than 20 vendors can participate in such fairs, and the organizer must ensure a distance of at least two metres between the stands, a safe visitors’ flow as well as assuring that the area in which the fair is held has been zoned-off.

Public catering

From 7 May, public catering services are allowed outdoors while observing strict epidemiological safety requirements.

Not more than four adults, apart from minors (under the age of 18), from not more than two households can be present at an outdoor table, and there must not be more than ten persons sitting together (i.e. adults + children).

Both staff and patrons shall wear masks covering mouth and nose during their visit except while seated at a table.

To prevent large numbers of people gathering at public catering places late into the evening, the working hours of public catering facilities outdoors are limited to the hours from 6.00 to 21.00. After 21.00, public catering places are only permitted to offer takeaway meals.

For further information